The Chamber Business Excellence Awards are one of the premier events of the year. These awards recognize businesses and business leaders in Nelson and area that have achieved excellence in the community through their efforts and initiatives.
The Business Excellence Awards celebrate business within the catchment area of the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce. The business community is an integral part of our region and helps to make our area – a great place to live, learn and work! The event focuses on the strength and innovation within every entrepreneur to take an idea and use it as the foundation for building a business.
Voting for your favourite businesses or organizations opens up prior to the event each year.
The Process
- Each year, nominations are received for the business and individual awards through nominations from customers or from others in the business community recognizing business excellence.
- At arm’s length from the Chamber Board, judges then review nomination submissions, and determine the finalists based on criteria developed
- The finalists are then visited in-person by appointment at their place of business by the judges. Following the interviews, the judges get together to determine who the recipients of each award will be.
- The finalists are profiled during the Business Excellence Awards ceremony in March during the Chamber Annual General Meeting.
2023 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Congratulations to all businesses in Nelson and the area for showing resiliency over the past three challenging years. Special shout out to the semi finalists and the category winners at the 2023 Business Excellence Awards!
- Business of the Year — Kalesnikoff / Ken Kalesnikoff
- Hospitality Excellence Award — The Royal / Kyle Chambers, Nicole & Marc Forest Smith
- Tourism Excellence Award — Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism (NKL) / Executive Director Dianna Ducs
- Retail Excellence Award — Hippersons & Home Building Centre / Randy Horswill and The Horswill Family
- Non-Profit-Community Organization Award — Kootenay Career Development Society (KCDS) / Executive Director Jocelyn Carver
- Rising Star Award — Ashman’s Smash Burgers & Fries / Aron & Mandy Ashman
- Professional Service Award — Kays Road Contracting / Matt Hanlon and Jeff Harker
- Technology-Innovation Excellence Award — Woody Nelson
- Inclusive Employer Award — Save On Foods / Store Manager Shane Warman & Assistant Manager Brad Sayers
2019 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
- Business of the Year — Ainsworth Hot Springs
- Rising Star -Start up/New Business Entrepreneur Excellence – Backroads Brewing Company
- Hospitality -Food and Beverage Business Excellence – Marzano
- Manufacturing, Technology & Innovation Excellence – Voytech Computers
- Retail Excellence Award – Cartolina
- Tourism Excellence – Whitewater Ski Resort
- Professional Service Excellence Award – Edge Roofing
- Non Profit / Community Service Organization Excellence – The Civic Theatre
- /Inclusive Employer – Wait’s News
PREVIOUS YEARS
2018 Nelson Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award Winners
Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year – Spearhead
Retail Excellence – Kootenay Co-op
Hospitality Tourism Excellence – Finley’s Bar & Grill
Professional Service Excellence – Timberland Consultants
Rising Star – Start Up/New Business – Kokanee Mountain Zipline
Technology & Innovation Excellence – Nelson Brewing
Tourism Excellence – Baldface
Non Profit/ Community Service Excellence – Nelson Cares Society
2017 Nelson Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award Winners
Business of the Year Savoy Hotel
Retail Excellence Georama Growers
Hospitality Tourism Excellence Adventure Hotel
Professional Service Excellence Community First Health Co-Op
2016 Nelson Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award Winners
Professional Service Excellence: DHC Communications
Retail Excellence: Cartolina
Hospitality Tourism Excellence: Retallack
Business of the Year: Hume Hotel & Spa
2015 Nelson Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award Winners
Business of the Year Save On Foods
Retail Excellence (Over 40 employees) Mainjet Motorsports
Retail Excellence (Under 40 employees) DeVito Shoes and Orthotics
Hospitality Tourism Excellence Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism
Professional Service Excellence Mandala Homes
2014 Nelson Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award Winners
Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year – Pacific Insight
Retail Excellence (over 40 employees) – Nelson Home Building Centre
Retail Excellence (under 40 employees) – Gerick Cycle and Ski
Hospitality Tourism Excellence – Nelson Tramway Society
Professional Service Excellence – Lakeside Physiotherapy and Sports Injuries Clinic
2013 Nelson Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award Winners
Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year – Whitewater Ski Resort
Retail Excellence – Kootenai Moon
Hospitality Tourism Excellence – Hume Hotel & Spa
Professional Service Excellence – Mountain Waters Spa
